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Knicks Wont Give Lee Extension

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The New York Knicks have decided against offering fan favorite David Lee a contract extension ahead of the October 31 deadline.

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Oct 23, 2008 5:45 AM EST

The New York Knicks have decided against offering fan favorite David Lee a contract extension ahead of the October 31 deadline, the New York Post is reporting. Lee will now become a restricted free agent after the 2008-2009 season, giving the Knicks the right to match any offer the forward may receive from any other team.
Lee's agent Mark Bartlestein said he and Knick president Donnie Walsh spoke yesterday, and Walsh has decided against giving Lee a contract extension.
"I don't anticipate getting something done," Bartlestein said. "As it stands, I don't think it will happen. Donnie is still in the evaluation process with this team. I think he understands David has great value in the league but is cautious to make a long-term commitment before he gets a feeling what direction his team is going."
Walsh did not dispute Bartlestein's remarks but said he didn't want to make it official until Oct 31.
The Knicks also will not give guard Nate Robinson a contract extension, according to the report.

Sad but has to be done

It's sad because everyone likes Lee and he is a good player but the financial status of the team sucks so bad that this has to be done. Unless we can trade the over priced players on the bench like Q Rich and soon to be benched(Crawford), this move seems like the only possible move.

Maybe Danillo can turn out to be a better PF....he should if he is half of what scouts say he is.

nope... as a restricted free agent we can match any offer no matter how high it is.

Now, if it's too high a price that would just make it harder to get under the cap by 2010.

Walsh is betting that the market for Lee next year will not go beyond $8mil per... Bartelstein probably used Bynum's request in L.A. for $17mil as a benchmark for Lee's contract... probably used that to justify $12mil-$15mil or something like that.

if they are going to sign him they better sign him now. now i used to think David Lee was overrated (until this years pre where i have seen progression from last season). It is possible he can get 15 pts. 3 asts, 10 rbs. easily everynight in this offense

All signs point to Lee being a Knick for a long time, so why rush it? Plus lets say Walsh is thinking about giving Lee a 4 yr 48 million deal, D Lee signs an offer sheet for 4 yrs and 44 million, Donnie matches the offer and saves us some crucial cap space. Also I'm not too concerned with a team out bidding us because I think David would take less (not much less, but less) to remain a Knick.

Good move not resigning Nate, I think he will do good this year and will be great trade bait. But, bad job not resigning Lee. Every team D'Antoni has needs a guy like Lee. THats exactly just what he was missing in PHX, rebounds. He tried to get it with Shaq, but Shaq didn't hustle enough to fit in. Lee is perfect. Lee is having a good start and meshes well with everyone. He is a great person in the locker room, and I wouldn't try to even give Lee a chance to go into the fa if hes smart. Walsh is being tested by Knicks fans, so far hes passed. But if their favorite Lee goes, he automatically fails. And NY fans almost always get what they want. Lee will be starting and that will give him better numbers, meaning if we sign him now, hes not worth over 5 million a season. Lets get him signed to say 3 years, with a couple player options. Lee will want much much more money when hes done after this year. Also, competition will raise his price.